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As Botswana struggles through one of the most difficult economic periods in its post-independence history, a far deeper and less visible crisis may be unfolding.

While headlines focus on inflation, unemployment, budget deficits and health care crises, another story is most likely being written in the wombs of expectant mothers and the homes of young families. The long-term cost of this economic downturn may not be felt fully for decades, but when it does, it may come in the form of accelerated aging, poorer health and diminished productivity in an entire generation of Batswana.

A growing body of international research offers a sobering perspective, suggesting that the hard times a number of families are currently going through may actually be a signal that, the country faces a deeper longer-lasting risk: the silent scarring of an entire generation.

A study titled, ‘The Early Shocks on Aging Outcomes: Evidence from the US Great Depression’, reveals that children born during or shortly after the Depression suffered long term consequences, not just in economic terms, but in health, lifespan and productivity. They were more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, earned less over their lifetimes, and aged faster than those born during more stable times. The economic shocks their parents endured, loss of income, poor nutrition, reduced access to healthcare, left lasting physiological and cognitive imprints.

But even more striking is a companion paper: ‘In Utero Exposure to the Great Depression is Reflected in Late-Life Epidemic Aging Signatures.’ This study found that individuals exposed to the stress and deprivation of the Great Depression while still in the womb experienced signs of accelerated aging – especially after age 75. In simple terms, the economic hardship of their early life didn’t just affect how they lived, it shaped how long and how well they lived.

These findings carry powerful relevance for Botswana today. Between 2023 and 2024, graduate unemployment jumped by 18.5% with over 70, 000 graduates unable to find work. Household consumption is shrinking, inflation is eating away at the value of the Pula, hospitals are running out of drugs and medication and infrastructure spending is drying up. In sectors which are dependent of government expenditure, job losses are mounting. Public services are stretched thin. For many families, even basic nutrition and healthcare are becoming luxuries.

This is the environment into which thousands of children are now being born. If history is any guide, the consequences will be long term and multi-generational. Poor maternal nutrition, toxic stress during pregnancy, and childhood deprivation are not just social tragedies, they are biological events. They shape how genes express, how organs function, and how people age. A child born today in Botswana may live with the echo of today’s economic crisis well into their 70s and 80s.

That is why this moment demands urgent, human centered policy responses. It is not enough to focus on fiscal consolidation or macroeconomic targets. Botswana must act to protect its most vulnerable citizens, not just in words, but in direct investments in maternal health, early childhood nutrition, education and income support for young families. These are not welfare expenses; they are national resilience strategies.

The experience of the United Stated during the Great Depression of the 1930s offer a cautionary tale. Just as the US Depression babies paid the price for their government’s slow response, Botswana cannot afford to let today’s children bear the cost of policy inaction. The long-term health of the nation, both physically and economically may depend on what we do right now.

The Ministry of Finance on Friday said it was seeking parliamentary approval for P8.83 billion under the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12), laying out a digital-first reform package that aims to tighten fiscal controls, modernise tax collection, and crowd in private sector growth.

Presenting the Public Investment Programme (PIP), Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe said the funds-covering both ongoing and new projects-will ‘build the foundations of a new economy.’ Of the total, P2.07 billion will complete existing projects, while P6.76 billion is earmarked for new ones aligned with the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) takes the biggest slice at P4.13 billion, with key projects including the rollout of electronic VAT invoicing, digital taxation for online services, and upgraded border infrastructure. Gaolathe said the reforms would expand Botswana’s tax base and improve compliance, helping fund social and infrastructure programmes sustainably.

Technology and digital systems dominate the ministry’s agenda, with P486 million allocated to ICT development projects such as a national payment switch, an upgraded accounting and budgeting system, and a regulatory sandbox for fintech innovation. The government also plans to introduce an e-procurement platform to curb corruption and inefficiencies.

State-owned enterprises will receive P2.3 billion for restructuring, including transforming the National Development Bank into an agricultural lender, while P1.29 billion is set aside for infrastructure development, including new offices for key financial institutions.

‘This plan is about dignity, opportunity, and hope,’ Gaolathe told Parliament. ‘It’s about building an economy that creates jobs, rewards innovation, and ensures every Pula collected works for the people of Botswana.’

Organisers of the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays are hopeful that the event will have a positive impact on the economy and leave a lasting sports legacy.

The relays will be hosted in Gaborone on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2026. Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Moses Bantsi says the event has a huge potential to contribute positively to the economy as well as the development of sports.

‘When we took the decision to bid for these relays, we had three reasons in mind. the first reason is that we believe sports can contribute a lot towards Botswana’s economic diversification drive. As you know, our economy has been over reliant on minerals, more especially diamonds.’

‘But as we have witnessed, such over reliance of minerals is not sustainable. That is why the government is now seeking to diversify the economy. And sports tourism is an area which has a huge potential to help the country to reach that dream,’ Bantsi says.

With the world media expected to focus on Botswana leading to the relays and thousands of people expected to descend into Botswana to witness the athletics relays spectacles, the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays CEO says Botswana will have a platform to sell herself as a destination of choice.

From its sprawling deserts, breathtaking wildlife and its diverse cultures, Bantsi says Botswana has so much to offer. ‘We should not focus on the two days of the event only. We must start selling our country now and then continue well after the 2nd and 3rd of May. Our wish is that after the relays, Botswana will be well known and become a destination of choice for many people.’

With multitudes of people coming into our shores, Bantsi is urging Batswana to explore whatever opportunities may be available to earn some income. Opportunities are expected to open in areas such as accommodation, food, curios and transport, among many.

‘The second reason we bid for this event is to give Batswana a cheer. As you know, next year the country will be celebrating its 60 years of Independence. Our hope is that this event will make next year a very memorable one for the country.’

‘The third reason for us to host is to contribute to sports development in the country. This is a sporting event, and we want it to have a lasting legacy on our sport. Already, our stadiums, the National Stadium and UB Stadium are undergoing renovation. Sports will benefit from that post the event.’

‘But we want the legacy to go way beyond just stadiums. Remember that these relays are brought here by Botswana Athletics Association. Naturally, they have to benefit something from it. When we as the organisers go around looking for sponsors, we also think of the BAA. We want them to get funds to prepare their teams for the relays.’

As hosts, Botswana will be expected to field at least five teams, being the men and women’s 4X400m and 4x100m as well as the mixed relays. While the men’s 4x400m relay team is ready, the same cannot be said of others, more especially the women’s and mixed relay teams.

‘Our teams, more especially our women’s teams have not been doing well. Now, they need to be prepared well not just to participate but to compete. So, naturally, they have to benefit more from this event. We have to make sure they are ready.’

‘If we achieve this, it will transcend beyond just these games. We still have major games coming after the World Relays going into 2027 and 2028. We have the Africa Senior Championships, the World Athletics Championships as we as the LA 28 Olympics, among many. It will be part of our legacy to create a formidable women’s team which can go on to represent the country well past the relays.’

Still on the sporting front, Bantsi says his wish is for the country to have a legacy fund post the event. He says if such could be realized, it would be used to fund sport development programmes. He says Botswana has to have a good conveyor of athletes who can take over once likes of Letsile Tebogo hang up their spikes.

Meanwhile, the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays CEO says preparations for the event are on track. he says the only challenge currently facing the organisers is that they are yet to get sponsors on board. With the government struggling, he says it is imperative for the private sector to also lend a hand.

‘Sponsors aside, everything is going well. The first phase of preparations, which encompassed laying out our operational plans was completed mid-month. We are now on the second phase, which is the readiness stage where we roll out and execute our plans. Very soon, people should expect to see adverts of the event across the city. We are also now sending invitations and all relevant information to all countries regarding what they would need to enter the country.’

Regarding the stadiums, Bantsi says they expect the National Stadium to be handed over to the World Relays organisers by mid November. He says this will allow them to work over some of the compliance issues before the event starts. On the other hand, UB Stadium, which will be used as the warm-up track is expected to be handed over to the organisers by mid-January 2026.

The upcoming Women’s National League is expected to boost competition and encourage more girls across the country to actively take part in football. This was said by Botswana Football Association (BFA) Women’s Football Committee Chairperson, Keeng Mosinyi, in an interview with Sunday Standard Sport.

Mosinyi says the introduction of the national league marks a major step in the growth of women’s football in the country. This will be an improvement from the previous setup in which teams played in regional leagues without much incentive.

‘In the previous setup, teams were just playing to honour matches because there were no promotions or relegation,’ she says. ‘Now, with the introduction of a national league, teams know what is at stake. This will motivate both players and clubs to take the league seriously.’

Under the new format, the top teams from the North and South zones will face each other at the end of the season to decide which team represents Botswana in the CAF Women’s Champions League. This is expected to improve the standard of local football and give players exposure to higher levels of competition.

One of the biggest changes, according to the BFA Women’s Football Committee Chairperson, is that teams will now travel to play against opponents from other regions, unlike before when matches were played only within the same area.

‘Teams will now travel across regions, meeting different opponents and styles of play. This will increase competition and help raise the level of the game,’ she says. ‘It will also push regions to work harder to develop women’s football.’

Mosinyi is hopeful that the new league format will also create opportunities for players in other regions to be noticed and to be considered for the national team. ‘The national league will expose more players to competitive football and help identify new talent. It will give the Mares a wider pool of players to choose from and may even open doors for some players to move to professional leagues in the region.’

She says FIFA has approved funding to support women’s football development, and part of it will be used to help clubs manage their operations. The national league teams will receive equipment such as playing kits, balls, cones, nets and other training materials.

‘The FIFA funds will also be used to pay match officials. This is important because it helps professionalise the league and ensures that matches are managed well.’

Meanwhile, the BFA women’s football committee chairperson has implored the private sector and football fans to support women clubs. She says many teams are still struggling financially.

‘Teams are financially struggling, and there is a need for the private sector to come on board to sponsor the teams or the league. We also encourage supporters to attend matches in large numbers. Their support means a lot to the players.’

Mosinyi says the women’s National League is a big opportunity to transform women’s football in Botswana. She says it will not only improve competition but also give hope to many young girls who want to pursue football as a career.

‘With this league, we are building a strong foundation for the future of women’s football. It is a chance for our players to grow, compete and make their mark at national and international level.’

The women national league is expected to kick off in December.